Python Gurus

[MARKFP]

I have a chance to pick up a 6" blued Python from a widow of a friend, by serial # it dates to 1964. Pics that were sent to me via text were pretty bad but when I saw it in person it was in great condition other than the following: very faint turn line, bore was fantastic, a few very light handling marks on stocks, lock up seemed very tight, the only other flaw was a very slight amount of wear at the muzzle obviously from some holster time. Now I want to be fair with this lady so not looking to lowball, I am not a wheel gun guy, I have some nice S&Ws that I have because I like them, mostly a Colt 1911 guy. Don't know much about Pythons at all. Any ideas of fair offer? Thanks in advance Snake guys, fire away, Mark

[003]

$2000.00 is a good place to start.

[MARKFP]

Thanks 003, with my limited knowledge of Pythons, but armed with some books and research that's about what I've come up with at this point.

[Gryff]

$1500.

Yes, it is worth more...if you have the time and knowledge to list it for sale in the right locations. Otherwise, $1500 is not an insubstantial amount of money, and it's probably more than she would get if a gun dealer bought it from her for resale.

[Flouncer]

See the snake handgun thread . .. .

[Erion929]

$2000.00 is a good place to start.

That was my general thought also, as I was reading the post.....

I have two, the closest to that one being a minty blue 6” with no bluing loss....original grips, a Colt Custom Shop Elliason rear sight...and a box. I would put mine at $3200.

And, just FWIW, a mint 4” blue, original grips with box....$3400


.

[MARKFP]

About $1k is all that it's really "worth." Anything above that is simply hype.

I owned 2 Pythons in my life. I actually liked the Model 19 that I owned at the same time better. I sold the Pythons and kept the Model 19 until I sold that with all of the rest of the revolvers in my collection that I didn't want to shoot anymore.

If you're a collector and have the $3k that people are asking for Pythons now and are willing to "risk" depreciating the value of the gun by actually firing it or are willing to just keep it as a safe queen, I say "go for it."

Otherwise, there are other perfectly functional 357s that you could buy (including a vintage Model 19, that you can get for much, much less.

I appreciate your opinion on which brand / model you prefer, but that was not the question asked, and as far as your value I would be told where to go! I agree as others would that either off roster pricing or the escalated values on some firearms are out of site, however you or I don't dictate what the general market becomes. As far as the 19 is concerned, yes it is a great revolver ! If you read the entire post you would have noticed I had stated I have multiple S&Ws. The seller has quoted me a purchase price that is VERY fair to me, I'm just trying to establish that it's fair to her.

[crffl]

.

In my area I would expect to see it between $2000 and $2300 these days. $1500 would be a 'jump on it' price.

.

[denpython]

I have recorded recent pythons on gunauction.com by lockstockandbarrel in SoCal go for $1500 to $1700 in very good condition. Blue 6 inch. PPT at their store. No dealer transfers.

[ysr_racer]

Fair to you, and fair to her is $2000 based on the pricing I see. She might be able to sell it for a few dollars more, you might be able to buy one for a few dollars less.

[Litespeeds]

[simonp]

[oddjob]

OP,

Take a look at the Colt Forum. There is a separate section on Pythons and a few threads on Python values. Keep in mind that they are talking nationally. California prices do have a "surcharge" (off roster). I have a few Pythons. Based on your description I would guess $1500 to $2k (hard without pictures).

I bought a rifle from a widow of a friend. I paid a little more just to own it. Something to think about.

[AFTII]

Ok, so I'm admittedly not a guru, but I think most have no idea what the OP is being offered. This is not some crappy 1980's vintage Python, but an early 60's gun.

My uncle had a 1967 Python. He told me stories of the months long waitlists for these revolvers and that was for law enforcement personnel. Mere mortals in the general public couldn't get one. It was this unavailability that originally drove the Python's reputation. My uncle, who was a constable, ended up giving the one he was able to get to his little brother who was an NSA agent (and could not get one on his own). My uncle the constable preferred the Trooper, and truth be told, the Trooper is a better gun, with the exception of the Python having a slightly better single action trigger.

But, the Python is a work of mechanical art. It just looks badazz. And the 60's era guns are magnificent examples. If someone knows where I can pick up a 60's era Python for $1500-$1700, I buy all that they can find. Every $1500 Python I've seen has been a beat to **** 1980's vintage piece of crap.

[dfletcher]

I have a chance to pick up a 6" blued Python from a widow of a friend, by serial # it dates to 1964. Pics that were sent to me via text were pretty bad but when I saw it in person it was in great condition other than the following: very faint turn line, bore was fantastic, a few very light handling marks on stocks, lock up seemed very tight, the only other flaw was a very slight amount of wear at the muzzle obviously from some holster time. Now I want to be fair with this lady so not looking to lowball, I am not a wheel gun guy, I have some nice S&Ws that I have because I like them, mostly a Colt 1911 guy. Don't know much about Pythons at all. Any ideas of fair offer? Thanks in advance Snake guys, fire away, Mark

I'd say $1,800.00 to $2,200.00 is ballpark OK. If she's had the thing forever I don't think a tad less would be insulting, so long as you told her "you know, you could get a bit more for this".

Make sure the stocks are correct, should be 2nd series. Tight lock up on a Python (or any old model Colt) is a bit of an illusion judging condition. 2nd stage of the hand will always push the cylinder tight against the bolt when the trigger is fully pulled. Put a little drag on the cylinder when cocking and see that the bolt drops before the hammer hits full cock. And if the hand is just right, if you pull the trigger (but control the hammer drop) you'll feel a slight rub as the hand sets, and the SA sear clears the sear notch on the hammer.

Just a related story, my only Python is an 8" nickel "Target" version in 38 Special. It's at my Mom's place in MA. About once a year she and her equally aged next door neighbor hand the thing off to one another as their "home defense" gun. Or a version of "I don't want this in the house, you take it". I'm guessing. They're 88 years old each, used it to qualify for their MA LTC. So much for "mandatory training".